COURTNEY MELODY
Rough dancehall singer Courtney Melody was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica and
began singing from when he attended school. In his early teens he started
to work on a local sound system called Black Spider. He started to make a
name for himself when he joined the mighty Stereo One sound system, working
alongside Lieutenant Stitchie, Ricky Stereo, Boy Blue, Wolfman and Daddy
Freddy.
It was Stereo One who released his first 45, an awesome soundboy burial
anthem called "Screechy Across The Border". This was a big sound system
tune internationally, and was soon covered by Little Kirk, who also
released a version of it on the Ruddy's label from New York.
Courtney then went to Winston Riley's Techniques label to voice "How Long
Will Your Love Last" and "Exploiter". These were small hits, but his next
effort "Bad Boy" in 1986 propelled this young singer into international
dancehall stardom. Courtney Melody then became the hottest artist in reggae
music, unleashing a volley of unstoppable dancehall sides such as "Ninja Mi
Ninja" and "Tell Dem" for King Tubbys; "Modern Girl" for Robert French;
"Put It Down" for Harry J; Downpressor" for Prince Jazzbo; "Rootsman
Corner" for Redman; and "Can't Get We Out" for King Jammys. Many of these
tunes remain modern-day dancehall classics.
After experiencing a motorbike accident, Courtney was forced to take a long
break from the business, and inevitably his popularity waned, as the fickle
reggae public focussed more on the next generation of dancehall superstars
like Sanchez, Wayne Wonder and also on the DJs who were to dominate the
music throughout the next decade.
Little was heard from Courtney throughout the 1990s, with the exception of
a superb single for Star Trail called "In The Street". Riding the
"Baltimore" rhythm, this tune proved that Courtney really was a great
singer, who given the opportunity and the right rhythm, still produce top
quality reggae music.
The 1999 World Clash in New York was a landmark event for Courtney.
Japanese sound system Mighty Crown brandished their dubplate special of
"Ninja Mi Ninja" which mashed up the dance, helping the Japanese to take
the trophy. Tapes of the clash went worldwide and soon every sound had to
have their own specials from Courtney Melody. Suddenly his popularity rose
and led to Courtney touring overseas and capitalising on his dancehall
veteran status.
Courtney visited the Third Eye Studio in October 2001 for a dubplate
session, and while here he voiced "Rebel", a brand new killer track
produced by Rootsman.